2004 Tobin James, James Gang Reserve, Chardonnay, Monterey County ($25 list, came in Spring Shipment). Alcohol level: 13%. They took the poor grapes and fermented them 100% in new French Oak, aged them sur lie, and maled 58% of them! Knowing this in advanced I designed a meal to handle it. Following their suggestions I cooled it down in the fridge and opened it a half hour before eating.

It gave a burst of citrus on the nose and upfront. Very good Monterey complexity including a healthly dose of shall we say vanilla (a.k.a. oak) crossed the palate. The finish was splendid so long as it included a drollop of Bearnaise - but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Matched the Chard with steamed mussels dipped in the afore mentioned Bearnaise Sauce, and salad with blue cheese dressing.

Popped the '05 last night; it had come with the Spring '07 shipment. It was identical to the '04 in almost every way: price, grape source, fermentation methodology, with only a slight increase in alcohol from 13% to 13.8%. Tasted the same too!

Matched it with chicken breasts marinated in lime juice, Adobo seasoning, and EVOO and grillpanned (T-storms outside); along with brown Basmati rice, and spinach. Great use for the wine which is tough to match.